Forget the studs and shoulder pads, for this game of rugby you'll need swimwear and goggles.

Yes, underwater rugby is a thing and the first ever UK tournament has taken place right here in west London.

Putney Leisure Centre played host to four teams with players from 12 different countries in the International Underwater Rugby Tournament, which was organised by Pure Underwater Rugby England (PURE), based in Putney.

Among those representing the Putney side were players from Kew, Brixton, Putney and Camberwell.

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They faced teams from Germany and France, with the former coming out on top.

The tournament was followed by the first ever Team GB underwater international match, against a side which included players from Finland, Germany, Hungary, France, Italy and Singapore. Team GB emerged victorious, winning 5-2.

"It’s another stepping stone in raising the profile of underwater rugby here in the UK"

Following the success of the tournament, one of the founding members of PURE and organiser of the tournament, Roy Sherwin, has appealed for more people to get involved in a bid to help grow the sport.

The aim of the game is to get the ball into the opposition's net (Image: PURE)

He said: "The tournament was a big success and ran very smoothly. Everyone turned out and we made it happen.

"This has been 12 months in the planning. It’s another stepping stone in raising the profile of underwater rugby here in the UK.

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"The idea is to develop the sport nationwide. We believe it will take around five to ten years to achieve that. As with most new things it can take a while for word to spread and for people to get round to giving it a go.

"People tend to shy away from new things but if you like snorkeling and are looking for something to do during the winter months then you should try it out."

Both men and woman can play in the same team (Image: PURE)

"You need a three-and-a-half to five-metre deep pool for tournaments, but if you can find a two to three-metre deep pool, then there is no reason why you can’t play.

"It goes without saying breath holding ability and fitness level improves with playing this sport.

"PURE can offer help and advice to anyone who wants to set up a team."

PURE is part of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), which is the UK governing body for scuba diving and snorkelling, and the club even has the Duke of Cambridge as its president.

The ball is filled with salt water to stop it from rising to the top (Image: PURE)

"I’m delighted that the very first underwater rugby tournament in the UK was such a resounding success and hopefully it will help raise the profile of the sport over here," said BSAC chief executive, Mary Tetley.

She added: "BSAC is always keen to support new and exciting underwater activities such as this because it reflects so much of what our organisation is all about."